Adopted person and inheritance within birth family

I'd be really grateful if someone could give me some advice concerning the legal situation regarding an adopted person and inheritance within the birth family.

The deceased within the birth family has died intestate (as far as we are aware - we are finalising those investigations). What claim would an adopted individual have on that estate? Were the adoption not to have taken place, the rules governing inheritance where there is no will mean that this person would clearly have a claim.

Basically the law moves the child entirely from the birth family to as it it were the natural child of the adoptive parents. So no inheritance from original birth family (unless of course the will leaves money to the child who was later adopted just as it might leave money to a neighbour or the cat's home). So if you've rich relatives you are better off fostered than adopted.

There was a case on Heir Hunters where an adopted out child reconnected with their birth mother and had been living with her for several years. The mother died intestate but the Treasury Solicitor decided the adopted son had a claim in that case. He was the only descendant available though.

cd he was probably eligible as a dependent, there's a statutory route to claim from an estate if you have been living with someone and financially dependent on them in some way, whether or not you are related.

It's sad when you're the adopted person and your birth family are loaded. Sorry for the flippancy but this is my case. They have properties and land in a posh part of Cheshire.They can keep it though as they aren't nice people anyway. I really wouldn't accept it.I do sympathise with others though as you could have had an awful upbringing even by your adoptive parents and the money could be some small compensation from feeling rejected all your life.This bit isn't me fortunately, had fantastic parents.

Personal experience of this. Once adopted you lose all rights to anything of your birth parents estate or goods unless written in a will.

I would have loved my mother's few bits of jewellery but unfortunately I was not deemed next of kin and such went to a son of a second cousin who was about 7 and didn't live in UK. Sad about that, but my adoptive parents were wonderful.

Okay sad was emotive. I just meant they lose the inheritance but obviously that makes sense because they have moved in law from one family to the next. Most adopted children are not from rich homes, presumably so it won't often apply.

Obviously I don't know the circumstances or the relationship between the deceased and the adopted person, but would like to add that if the adopted person has had no contact with the deceased etc it would be a lovely gesture to give the adopted person a photograph or some other small token. My bm family didn't even send me a photo or tell me she had died. You may be different circs though, in which case ignore me.

Morethan - I didn't say how sorry I was that you had been treated like that. . Have a hug XXXThe daughter has photos of her. And we in touch - if she ever wants anything, as far as I am concerned she only has to ask.